At Home with Kim Vallee

Archive | April, 2007

DINING, FOOD + drinks | April 28, 2007

Follow up to my No-Knead Bread story

The Pain Maison from Eric Girard has many holes on it as you can see on the picture. You cannot compare this bread to the texture of a baguette; that is two different things. The recipe produces a rustic bread loaf with a crispy crust. Rustic bread is often better toasted, which makes [...]

DINING, FOOD + drinks | April 27, 2007

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No knead bread 101: Michael Smith vs Olive & Gourmando baker home recipes

Bread machine and kneading are obsolete with the latest crave for no-knead bread recipe. Since the New York Times published an innovative No knead bread recipe last November adapted from Jim Lahey’s recipe at Sullivan Street Bakery, everyone made its own version. I discovered the technique a couple months ago while watching [...]

ENTERTAINING, PARTY supplies | April 26, 2007

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Fun accessories for a casual cocktail party

I was looking for little things that will add amusements to a cocktail party setting. I went to The Spoon Sisters online store since they carry unusual stuff. I found three inexpensive party accessories. If you want to throw a cocktail and you do not take it too seriously, these are perfect [...]

ENTERTAINING, OUTDOOR entertaining | April 25, 2007

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Divine summer party themes for grown ups

Today I want to show you wonderful setting for summer grown up parties. The outdoor furniture pieces are sublime and pricey. But you can plan for such luxurious parties for less if you are clever and you like to shop around. My suggestion is to take the ambiance, to try to recreate the mood and to [...]

COOKING tools, DINING | April 24, 2007

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Taking your time at the table with SEM design

I like to present you fun and practical items. This tablecloth surely qualifies. You find questions and answers to riddles mixed on the cloth. The ingenious thing is that the Q&A can be read from both ends of the table. So you can have a friendly competition. To make it easier to [...]

BABY showers, ENTERTAINING, PAPER goods | April 23, 2007

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Thinking outside the box for a Baby shower invitation

I got inspired by the creativity of a gorgeous baby shower invitation this afternoon. So I decide to talk about invitation choices and how invitation cards can make or break your party. I said it before; printed invitations grab more attention than an email or a phone invitation to a party. Except for wedding and milestone wedding [...]

ENTERTAINING, TABLESCAPE

April 21, 2007

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Serving sugar and milk with Newton physics

A Finnish designer Tanja Sipilä decided to simplify how we serve sugar and milk for our coffee. She used the principle of gravity to design the Newton Milk & Sugar set for Tonfish Design. Newton feels like one container. In fact, Newton Milk & Sugar set is made of two containers. The [...]

HOME + GARDEN, OUTDOOR space

April 20, 2007

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2007 red dot: best of the best goes to the Yin Yang chaise longue by DEDON

I love DEDON products, so I am always thrilled when they launch a new collection. This young and dynamic German company creates fabulous outdoor furniture. If I become rich one day, I will furnish my whole backyard with their furniture. For now, I enjoy talking about them. If you read any lifestyle magazines [...]

ENTERTAINING, PARTY ideas, TABLESCAPE

April 18, 2007

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A mine of flower design ideas at TryFlowers.org.uk

While I was flipping over the pages of a previous edition of Living etc magazine, my eyes cut a fascinating ad sponsored by the Flowers & Plants Association. Intrigued, I went right away to TryFlowers.org.uk, the “So simple. So try it.” campaign Web site. My expectations were high. I am not disappointed [...]

HOME + GARDEN, HOME decor

April 18, 2007

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My tips on selecting paint colors for at home entertaining

I look at color trends as inspiration pieces. Paint manufacturers make up fresher color combinations that you may want to explore. But unless you like to repaint often, I say to use trends wisely so that the average people cannot put a year on your house decor. I say to people to [...]

CAKES, DINING, PAPER goods

April 18, 2007

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Matching wedding cake and invite design from two Canadian gals

As a Canadian blogger, I like to point out great Web sites from my country. This morning I discovered Brides in the City, a fascinating blog published by two Torontians. I lived in TO for five years a decade ago. Gal pals Diana and Holly both works on the bridal industry. Diana [...]

TRAVEL

April 18, 2007

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What m0851 guestrooms in Antwerp can teach you in having slept over guests?

I am a huge fan of the Canadian fashion brand m0851. I live close by their flagship store in Montreal. My husband can testify that I always stop to look at their store window. I love the simplicity of their streamlined clothes and leather accessories. I am thrilled about their way in the hospitality industry. You [...]

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